Data Protection

Explanations for GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation)

This data protection declaration informs you about the type, scope and purpose of the processing of personal data (hereinafter referred to as “data”) within our online offering and the websites, functions and content associated with it as well as external online presences, such as our social media profile (hereinafter collectively referred to as the “online offer”). With regard to the terms used, such as “processing” or “person responsible”, we refer to the definitions in Article 4 of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Responsible person

Legal entity information 
Types of data processed:
Inventory data (e.g. names, addresses).
Contact details (e.g. email, telephone numbers)
Content data (e.g. text entries, photographs, videos).
Usage data (e.g. websites visited, interest in content, access times)
Meta/communication data (e.g. device information, IP addresses).
Categories of data subjects
Visitors and users of the online offering (hereinafter we refer to the affected persons collectively as “users”).
Purpose of processing
Provision of the online offer, its functions and content.
Answering contact requests and communicating with users.
Safety measures.
Reach measurement/marketing
Terms used
“Personal data” means any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person (hereinafter “data subject”); A natural person is considered identifiable if he or she can be identified directly or indirectly, in particular by reference to an identifier such as a name, an identification number, location data, an online identifier (e.g. cookie) or one or more special features, which are an expression of the physical, physiological, genetic, psychological, economic, cultural or social identity of that natural person.
“Processing” means any operation or series of operations relating to personal data, carried out with or without the aid of automated procedures. The term is broad and encompasses virtually every way data is handled.
“Pseudonymization” means the processing of personal data in such a way that the personal data can no longer be attributed to a specific data subject without the use of additional information, provided that this additional information is kept separately and is subject to technical and organizational measures that ensure that the personal data not be assigned to an identified or identifiable natural person.
“Profiling” means any type of automated processing of personal data, which consists in using that personal data to evaluate certain personal aspects relating to a natural person, in particular aspects relating to work performance, economic situation, health, personal Analyze or predict the preferences, interests, reliability, behavior, location or movements of that natural person.
The “controller” is the natural or legal person, public authority, institution or other body that alone or jointly with others decides on the purposes and means of processing personal data.
“Processor” means a natural or legal person, public authority, institution or other body that processes personal data on behalf of the controller.
Relevant legal bases
In accordance with Art. 13 GDPR, we will inform you of the legal basis for our data processing. If the legal basis is not stated in the data protection declaration, the following applies: The legal basis for obtaining consent is Article 6 Paragraph 1 Letter a and Article 7 GDPR, the legal basis for processing to fulfill our services and implement contractual measures as well Answering inquiries is Art. 6 Para. 1 lit. b GDPR, the legal basis for processing to fulfill our legal obligations is Art. 6 Para. 1 lit. c GDPR, and the legal basis for processing to protect our legitimate interests is Art 6 Paragraph 1 Letter f GDPR. In the event that the vital interests of the data subject or another natural person require the processing of personal data, Article 6 (1) (d) GDPR serves as the legal basis.
Safety measures
We take appropriate technical measures in accordance with Art. 32 GDPR, taking into account the state of the art, the implementation costs and the type, scope, circumstances and purposes of the processing as well as the different probability of occurrence and severity of the risk for the rights and freedoms of natural persons and organizational measures to ensure a level of protection appropriate to the risk.
The measures include, in particular, ensuring the confidentiality, integrity and availability of data by controlling physical access to the data, as well as the access, input, distribution, ensuring availability and its separation. We have also set up procedures to ensure the exercise of the rights of those affected, the deletion of data and the response to threats to data. We also take the protection of personal data into account when developing or selecting hardware, software and processes, in accordance with the principle of data protection through technology design and through data protection-friendly default settings (Art. 25 GDPR).
Collaboration with processors and third parties
If, as part of our processing, we disclose data to other people and companies (processors or third parties), transfer it to them or otherwise grant them access to the data, this only takes place on the basis of legal permission (e.g. if the data is transferred to third parties, such as to payment service providers, in accordance with Art. 6 Paragraph 1 lit.
If we commission third parties to process data on the basis of a so-called “order processing contract”, this is done on the basis of Art. 28 GDPR.
Transfers to third countries
If we process data in a third country (i.e. outside the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA)) or if this occurs as part of the use of third-party services or disclosure or transmission of data to third parties, this will only occur if it is done to fulfill our (pre-)contractual obligations, on the basis of your consent, on the basis of a legal obligation or on the basis of our legitimate interests. Subject to legal or contractual permissions, we only process or have the data processed in a third country if the special requirements of Art. 44 ff. GDPR are met. This means that the processing is carried out, for example, on the basis of special guarantees, such as the officially recognized determination of a data protection level that corresponds to the EU (e.g. for the USA through the “Privacy Shield”) or compliance with officially recognized special contractual obligations (so-called “standard contractual clauses”).
Rights of data subjects
You have the right to request confirmation as to whether the data in question is being processed and to receive information about this data as well as further information and a copy of the data in accordance with Art. 15 GDPR.
You have accordingly. Art. 16 GDPR gives you the right to request that the data concerning you be completed or that incorrect data concerning you be corrected.
In accordance with Art. 17 GDPR, you have the right to demand that the data in question be deleted immediately, or alternatively, in accordance with Art. 18 GDPR, to request a restriction on the processing of the data.
You have the right to request that the data concerning you that you have provided to us be received in accordance with Art. 20 GDPR and to request that it be transmitted to other responsible parties.
In accordance with Article 77 of the GDPR, you also have the right to lodge a complaint with the responsible supervisory authority.
Right of withdrawal
You have the right to revoke your consent in accordance with Article 7 Paragraph 3 of the GDPR with effect for the future 
Right to object
You can object to the future processing of your data at any time in accordance with Art. 21 GDPR. The objection can in particular be made against processing for direct advertising purposes.
Cookies and right to object to direct advertising
“Cookies” are small files that are stored on users’ computers. Different information can be stored within the cookies. A cookie is primarily used to store information about a user (or the device on which the cookie is stored) during or after their visit to an online offering. Temporary cookies, or “session cookies” or “transient cookies,” are cookies that are deleted after a user leaves an online offering and closes their browser. Such a cookie can, for example, store the contents of a shopping cart in an online shop or a login status. Cookies that remain stored even after the browser is closed are referred to as “permanent” or “persistent”. For example, the login status can be saved if users visit it after several days. The interests of users can also be stored in such a cookie, which is used for range measurement or marketing purposes. “Third-party cookies” are cookies that are offered by providers other than the person responsible for operating the online offering (otherwise, if they are only their cookies, they are referred to as “first-party cookies”).
We can use temporary and permanent cookies and explain this in our data protection declaration.
If users do not want cookies to be stored on their computer, they are asked to deactivate the corresponding option in the system settings of their browser. Saved cookies can be deleted in the browser’s system settings. The exclusion of cookies can lead to functional restrictions of this online offer.
A general objection to the use of cookies used for online marketing purposes can be made for a large number of services, especially in the case of tracking, via the US website http://www.aboutads.info/choices/  or  the EU website  http://www.youronlinechoices.com/  can be explained. Furthermore, the storage of cookies can be achieved by switching them off in the browser settings. Please note that not all functions of this online offer may then be able to be used.
Deletion of data
The data we process will be deleted or its processing will be restricted in accordance with Articles 17 and 18 of the GDPR. Unless expressly stated in this data protection declaration, the data stored by us will be deleted as soon as they are no longer required for their intended purpose and the deletion does not conflict with any legal retention obligations. Unless the data is deleted because it is required for other legally permissible purposes, its processing will be restricted. This means that the data is blocked and not processed for other purposes. This applies, for example, to data that must be retained for commercial or tax reasons.
According to legal requirements in Germany, storage takes place in particular for 10 years in accordance with Sections 147 Paragraph 1 AO, 257 Paragraph 1 Nos. 1 and 4, Paragraph 4 HGB (books, records, management reports, accounting documents, trading books, more relevant for taxation). documents, etc.) and 6 years in accordance with Section 257 Paragraph 1 Nos. 2 and 3, Paragraph 4 HGB (commercial letters).
According to legal requirements in Austria, storage takes place in particular for 7 years in accordance with Section 132 Paragraph 1 BAO (accounting documents, receipts/invoices, accounts, receipts, business papers, statements of income and expenses, etc.), for 22 years in connection with real estate and for 10 years for documents relating to electronically provided services, telecommunications, radio and television services that are provided to non-entrepreneurs in EU member states and for which the Mini-One-Stop-Shop (MOSS) is used.
Business-related processing
In addition, we processcontract data (e.g., subject matter of the contract, term, customer category).– Payment data (e.g. bank details, payment history)from our customers, interested parties and business partners for the purpose of providing contractual services, service and customer care, marketing, advertising and market research.
Participation in affiliate partner programs
Within our online offering, we use industry-standard tracking measures based on our legitimate interests (i.e. interest in the analysis, optimization and economic operation of our online offering) in accordance with Art. 6 Para. 1 lit. f GDPR, to the extent that these are necessary for the operation of the affiliate system. Below we explain the technical background to users.
The services offered by our contractual partners can also be advertised and linked on other websites (so-called affiliate links or after-buy systems, for example if links or third-party services are offered after a contract has been concluded). The operators of the respective websites receive a commission if users follow the affiliate links and then take advantage of the offers.
In summary, it is necessary for our online offering that we can track whether users who are interested in affiliate links and/or the offers available from us subsequently take advantage of the offers at the instigation of the affiliate links or our online platform. For this purpose, the affiliate links and our offers are supplemented by certain values, which can be part of the link or set elsewhere, for example in a cookie. The values ​​include in particular the source website (referrer), time, an online identifier of the operator of the website on which the affiliate link was located, an online identifier of the respective offer, an online identifier of the user, as well as tracking specific values ​​such as advertising material ID, partner ID and categorizations.
The online user identifiers we use are pseudonymous values. This means that the online identifiers themselves do not contain any personal data such as names or email addresses. They only help us to determine whether the same user who clicked on an affiliate link or was interested in an offer via our online offer took advantage of the offer, i.e. concluded a contract with the provider. However, the online identifier is personal to the extent that the partner company and we also have the online identifier together with other user data. This is the only way the partner company can tell us whether the user has taken advantage of the offer and whether we can, for example, pay out the bonus.
Newsletter
With the following information we inform you about the contents of our newsletter as well as the registration, shipping and statistical evaluation procedures as well as your rights to object. By subscribing to our newsletter, you agree to its receipt and the procedures described.
Content of the newsletter: We only send newsletters, emails and other electronic notifications with promotional information (hereinafter “newsletter”) with the consent of the recipient or legal permission. If the contents are specifically described when registering for the newsletter, they are decisive for the user’s consent. Our newsletters also contain information about our services and us.
Double opt-in and logging: Registration for our newsletter takes place using a so-called double opt-in procedure. This means that after you register you will receive an email asking you to confirm your registration. This confirmation is necessary so that no one can log in with someone else’s email address. Registrations for the newsletter are logged in order to be able to provide evidence of the registration process in accordance with legal requirements. This includes storing the registration and confirmation times as well as the IP address. Changes to your data stored by the shipping service provider are also logged.
Registration data: To register for the newsletter, it is sufficient to provide your email address. Optionally, we ask you to provide a name so that you can be addressed personally in the newsletter.
The newsletter is sent and the associated measurement of success is based on the consent of the recipient in accordance with Article 6 Paragraph 1 Letter a, Article 7 GDPR in conjunction with Section 7 Paragraph 2 No. 3 UWG or if consent is not required , based on our legitimate interests in direct marketing in accordance with Art. 6 Para. 1 according to f. GDPR in conjunction with Section 7 Para. 3 UWG.
The registration process is logged on the basis of our legitimate interests in accordance with Article 6 Paragraph 1 Letter f of the GDPR. Our interest is in using a user-friendly and secure newsletter system that serves our business interests, meets the expectations of users and also allows us to provide evidence of consent.
Termination/revocation – You can terminate your receipt of our newsletter at any time, i.e. revoke your consent. You will find a link to unsubscribe from the newsletter at the end of each newsletter. We can store the unsubscribed email addresses for up to three years based on our legitimate interests before deleting them in order to be able to prove that consent was previously given. The processing of this data is limited to the purpose of possible defense against claims. An individual request for deletion is possible at any time, provided that the previous existence of consent is confirmed at the same time. 
Hosting and email delivery
The hosting services we use serve to provide the following services: infrastructure and platform services, computing capacity, storage space and database services, email delivery, security services and technical maintenance services, which we use for the purpose of operating this online offering.
In doing so, we, or our hosting provider, process inventory data, contact data, content data, contract data, usage data, meta and communication data from customers, interested parties and visitors to this online offering based on our legitimate interests in the efficient and secure provision of this online offering in accordance with Art. 6 Para. 1 lit. f GDPR in conjunction with Art. 28 GDPR (conclusion of order processing contract).
Google Tag Manager
Google Tag Manager is a solution with which we can manage so-called website tags via an interface (and thus, for example, integrate Google Analytics and other Google marketing services into our online offering). The Tag Manager itself (which implements the tags) does not process any personal data of users. With regard to the processing of users’ personal data, reference is made to the following information on Google services. Usage guidelines:  https://www.google.com/intl/de/tagmanager/use-policy.html .
Google Analytics
Based on our legitimate interests (ie interest in the analysis, optimization and economic operation of our online offering within the meaning of Art. 6 Para. 1 lit. f. GDPR), we use Google Analytics, a web analysis service from Google LLC (“Google”). Google uses cookies. The information generated by the cookie about users’ use of the online offering is usually transferred to a Google server in the USA and stored there.
Google is certified under the Privacy Shield Agreement and thereby offers a guarantee that it will comply with European data protection law (https://www.privacyshield.gov/participant?id=a2zt000000001L5AAI&status=Active ).
Google will use this information on our behalf to evaluate the use of our online offering by users, to compile reports on the activities within this online offering and to provide us with other services related to the use of this online offering and internet usage. Pseudonymous user profiles can be created from the processed data.
We only use Google Analytics with IP anonymization activated. This means that the user’s IP address is shortened by Google within member states of the European Union or in other contracting states to the Agreement on the European Economic Area. Only in exceptional cases will the full IP address be transmitted to a Google server in the USA and shortened there.
The IP address transmitted by the user’s browser is not merged with other Google data. Users can prevent the storage of cookies by setting their browser software accordingly; Users can also prevent Google from collecting the data generated by the cookie and relating to their use of the online offering and from processing this data by Google by downloading and installing the browser plug-in available at the following link: http://  tools .google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=de .
Further information on data usage by Google, settings and objection options can be found in Google’s data protection declaration ( https://policies.google.com/technologies/ads ) and in the settings for the display of advertising by Google  (https://adssettings.google.com/authenticated ).
Users’ personal data will be deleted or anonymized after 14 months.
Google AdWords and conversion measurement
Based on our legitimate interests (i.e. interest in the analysis, optimization and economic operation of our online offering within the meaning of Art. 6 Para. 1 lit. f. GDPR), we use the services of Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheater Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043 , USA, (“Google”).
Google is certified under the Privacy Shield Agreement and thereby offers a guarantee that it will comply with European data protection law (https://www.privacyshield.gov/participant?id=a2zt000000001L5AAI&status=Active).
We use the online marketing process Google “AdWords” to place advertisements in the Google advertising network (e.g. in search results, in videos, on websites, etc.) so that they are displayed to users who have a presumed interest in the advertisements. This allows us to display advertisements for and within our online offering in a more targeted manner in order to only present users with advertisements that potentially match their interests. For example, if a user is shown ads for products that they were interested in on other online offerings, this is referred to as “remarketing”. For these purposes, when you visit our and other websites on which the Google advertising network is active, Google directly executes a code from Google and so-called (re)marketing tags (invisible graphics or code, also known as ” “Web beacons”) are integrated into the website. With their help, an individual cookie, ie a small file, is stored on the user’s device (comparable technologies can also be used instead of cookies). This file records which websites the user has visited, what content the user is interested in and which offers the user has clicked on, as well as technical information about the browser and operating system, referring websites, visiting time and other information about the use of the online offer.
We also receive an individual “conversion cookie”. The information collected using the cookie is used by Google to create conversion statistics for us. However, we only know the anonymous total number of users who clicked on our ad and were redirected to a page with a conversion tracking tag. However, we do not receive any information that can be used to personally identify users.
User data is processed pseudonymously within the Google advertising network. This means that Google does not store and process the user’s name or email address, for example, but rather processes the relevant cookie-related data within pseudonymous user profiles. This means that from Google’s perspective, the advertisements are not managed and displayed for a specifically identified person, but for the cookie holder, regardless of who the cookie holder is. This does not apply if a user has expressly allowed Google to process the data without this pseudonymization. The information collected about users is transmitted to Google and stored on Google’s servers in the USA.
Further information on data usage by Google, settings and objection options can be found in Google’s data protection declaration ( https://policies.google.com/technologies/ads ) and in the settings for the display of advertising by Google  (https:// adssettings.google.com/authenticated ).
Online presence in social media
We maintain online presences within social networks and platforms in order to be able to communicate with customers, interested parties and users who are active there and inform them about our services. When accessing the respective networks and platforms, the terms and conditions and data processing guidelines of their respective operators apply.
Unless otherwise stated in our data protection declaration, we process users’ data if they communicate with us on social networks and platforms, e.g. write posts on our online presence or send us messages.
Integration of third-party services and content
Within our online offering, we use content or service offerings from third-party providers based on our legitimate interests (ie interest in the analysis, optimization and economic operation of our online offering within the meaning of Art. 6 Para. 1 lit. f. GDPR) in order to improve their content and To integrate services such as videos or fonts (hereinafter referred to as “content”).
This always assumes that the third party providers of this content are aware of the user’s IP address, as without the IP address they would not be able to send the content to their browser. The IP address is therefore required to display this content. We strive to only use content whose respective providers only use the IP address to deliver the content. Third parties may also use so-called pixel tags (invisible graphics, also known as “web beacons”) for statistical or marketing purposes. The “pixel tags” can be used to evaluate information such as visitor traffic on the pages of this website. The pseudonymous information can also be stored in cookies on the user’s device and may contain, among other things, technical information about the browser and operating system, referring websites, visiting time and other information about the use of our online offering, as well as being linked to such information from other sources. 
Google Maps
We incorporate the maps from the “Google Maps” service provided by Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheater Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA. The data processed may include, in particular, users’ IP addresses and location data, which, however, are not collected without their consent (usually carried out as part of the settings of their mobile devices). The data can be processed in the USA. Data protection declaration:  https://www.google.com/policies/privacy/ , opt-out:  https://adssettings.google.com/authenticated .
Google FontsGoogle Fonts is a service that downloads fonts that are not installed on the user’s client device and embeds them into the website. No cookies in the technical sense are placed on the user’s client device, but technical and personal data such as the IP address are transmitted from the client to the service provider’s server to enable the use of the service.
OpenStreetMap
We integrate the maps from the “OpenStreetMap” service ( https://www.openstreetmap.de ), which are offered on the basis of the Open Data Commons Open Database License (ODbL) by the OpenStreetMap Foundation (OSMF). Privacy policy:  https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Privacy_Policy .
To our knowledge, user data is used by OpenStreetMap exclusively for the purposes of displaying the map functions and temporarily storing the selected settings. This data may include, in particular, users’ IP addresses and location data, which, however, are not collected without their consent (usually carried out as part of the settings on their mobile devices).
The data can be processed in the USA. Further information can be found in OpenStreetMap’s privacy policy:  https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Privacy_Policy .
Use of Facebook social plugins
Based on our legitimate interests (ie interest in the analysis, optimization and economic operation of our online offering within the meaning of Art. 6 Para. 1 lit. f. GDPR), we use social plugins (“plugins”) from the social network facebook.com, which is operated by Facebook Ireland Ltd., 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland (“Facebook”). The plugins can display interaction elements or content (e.g. videos, graphics or text posts) and can be recognized by one of the Facebook logos (white “f” on a blue tile, the terms “Like”, “Like” or a “thumbs up” sign ) or are marked with the addition “Facebook Social Plugin”. The list and appearance of the Facebook social plugins can be viewed here:  https://developers.facebook.com/docs/plugins/ .
Facebook is certified under the Privacy Shield Agreement and thereby offers a guarantee that it will comply with European data protection law (https://www.privacyshield.gov/participant?id=a2zt0000000GnywAAC&status=Active ).
When a user accesses a function of this online offering that contains such a plugin, their device establishes a direct connection to the Facebook servers. The content of the plugin is transmitted by Facebook directly to the user’s device and integrated into the online offering. User usage profiles can be created from the processed data. We therefore have no influence on the amount of data that Facebook collects with the help of this plugin and therefore inform users according to our level of knowledge.
By integrating the plugins, Facebook receives the information that a user has accessed the corresponding page of the online offering. If the user is logged in to Facebook, Facebook can assign the visit to their Facebook account. When users interact with the plugins, for example by clicking the Like button or leaving a comment, the corresponding information is transmitted from your device directly to Facebook and stored there. If a user is not a member of Facebook, there is still the possibility that Facebook will find out and store their IP address. According to Facebook, only an anonymized IP address is stored in Germany.
The purpose and scope of data collection and the further processing and use of the data by Facebook as well as the related rights and setting options to protect the privacy of users can be found in Facebook’s data protection information:  https://www.facebook.com/about/privacy/ .
If a user is a Facebook member and does not want Facebook to collect data about them via this online offering and link it to their member data stored on Facebook, they must log out of Facebook and delete their cookies before using our online offering. Further settings and objections to the use of data for advertising purposes are possible within the Facebook profile settings:  https://www.facebook.com/settings?tab=ads   or via the US website  http://www.aboutads.info /choices/   or the EU site  http://www.youronlinechoices.com/ . The settings are platform-independent, meaning they are applied to all devices, such as desktop computers or mobile devices.
Google+
Functions and content from the Google+ platform, offered by Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheater Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA (“Google”), can be integrated into our online offering. This may include, for example, content such as images, videos or texts and buttons with which users can share content from this online offering within Twitter. If the users are members of the Google+ platform, Google can assign access to the above-mentioned content and functions to the users’ profiles there.
Google is certified under the Privacy Shield Agreement and thereby offers a guarantee that it will comply with European data protection law (https://www.privacyshield.gov/participant?id=a2zt000000001L5AAI&status=Active ). Further information on data usage by Google, settings and objection options can be found in Google’s data protection declaration ( https://policies.google.com/technologies/ads ) and in the settings for the display of advertising by Google  (https://adssettings.google.com/authenticated ).